Grundy County, Illinois - Chapter 30: Greenfield Township and Villages, 1914

Chapter 30: Greenfield Township and Villages

Greenfield Township owes its name to Thomas L. Green of Chicago, who owned and operated in its lands to an extensive degree prior to its formation into a township. Because of the activity and poularity of Mr, Green this section was named after him by the enthusiastic men who had the matter in hand, the committee being composed of Rohert Wood, Robert Finley and Milo Wilcox.

Boundaries And Soil

The township had at this time the following boundaries: Braceville Township on the north, Good Farm Township on the west. Round Grove, Livingston County, on the south, and Essex, Kankakee County, on the east, and it had an area of six miles.

The soil is black loam, ranging from one to two feet .deep and is capable of high cultivation. It rolls gently downward from the southern portion, but as the streams are all supplied with high banks, considerable drainage is necessary.

Timber And- Streams

Unfortunately much of the original timber has been cleared away, although Greenfield Township was never very heavily wooded, the timber being along the Mazon Creek. One of the best known groves in the township was Currier's Grove. The varieties of timber found embraced oak, hickory, walnut, elm, basswood, and similar species found in Illinois. The largest stream, Mazon Creek, originates at Broughton, Livingston County, running north through Greenfield Township. Cramery Creek, the next, important, comes into the township from Essex Township. Kankakee County, and unites with Mazon Creek'. Two other creeks, which rise in Round Grove Township, unite with Mazon Creek within the boundaries of Greenfield Township.

Earliest Pioneers

While Greenfield Township was still unorganized, belonging then to the Mazon precinct, about LSis, Dr. .lames Miller and Nelson La- Force became the pioneers of the township. They located on the northwest part of Section ."., where they built a house which was the first to be put up within a radius of thirty-six square miles. In it was born the son of Doctor Miller, George Miller, the first white child to be born in the township. For many years Doctor Miller ministered to the sick and suffering of his neighborhood, although crippled to such an extent that he was forced to go on two crutches. Later he went to Gardner where lie owned and conducted a drug store and still later removed to Florida where he rounded out his useful life. His associate, Mr. LaForce, also moved to Gardner later in life. The second home in the township was built by Taylor hredfield in 1S49, near the northeast corner of Section 10.

Robert Class came here in 1S49 and under the farm he secured on Section 10, coal was discovered in the early 'SOs, which increased the value of his property many times over. This pioneer has long passed to his last reward. Robert Finley was another of the pioneers of 1S49, and the Village of Gardner now occupies a portion of his original holdings. He bought a quarter of Section 0 for $134, and later another quarter section for $173, and had the satisfaction of selling a large portion of it in town lots, receiving for a quarter of an acre much more than either of the original tracts cost him. Samuel Miller came here in 1S49, but sold his land in 1S54 to go to Iowa. Mr. Fuller is iiuiii- bored among: the early hunters of this region, and stories of his prowess with his gun are slili related. Robert Wood's arrival was either in the latter part of 1S49, or the early part of 1850. Later he sold and went to Missouri, but being convinced that Grundy County offered more advantages, came back and bought a new farm, spending the remainder of his life on the east bank of Mazon ('reek.

Franklin Morgan was another pioneer of 1S49, but later he went to Indiana, lie is remembered for his genial spirit and love of fun. Joseph Elliott also came here in 1S49, having spent a short time in Du Page County. His first winter was spent in a mere shanty, though the terrible snow storms, made it utterly impossible for him and his family to keep warm, despite the fact that they had a roaring fire all the while!

Another of the pioneers of Greenfield Township was John Kelso, who arrived here in 1849, but later went to Kansas. Milo Wilcox put up a little house on the hanks of Mazon Creel; in 1S49, hot sold it t" Charles lice, a Methodist preacher, and secured another farm. George F. Spencer developed a magnificent, farm from his prairie holdings, lie planted a fine orchard and became one of the leading men of Greenfield Township. Nelson Clapp came here in 1841), hut soon sold to move to Grand Prairie. Benjamin Banister arrived the same year as Mr. Clapp, hut his property has passed into different hands.

Other Early Sktti.Ers

On May 10, 1S50, George Willis came here from Guernsey County, Ohio, building a split log cabin. With him came S. V. Hartley who develo[>ed into a wealthy farmer. His original farm was divided into town lots, to his profit.

Thomas McCartney was another of the pioneers and among those who came after 1850 may he mentioned : Alexander and Kennedy Brown, J. W. Hall and Robert Atkinson. After this, settlement was rapid, for it was recognized that the soil was fertile and farming profitable.

First Death

George Beak who passed away in the spring of 1850. No clergyman could he secured for the last rites, hut a pious neighbor offered a heartfelt prayer. Others joined in with a hymn, and all who could followed the rude coffin to what is now Wheeler Burying Grounds.

First Marriage

In either June or July of 1S51, occurred the first marriage which was celebrated between Henry Brown and a young lady whose first name was Amanda, a sister-in-law of Daniel Fuller. The following is declared to he a true transcript of the marriage service which hound them together:

The first bridge was built over the Mazon Creek at Mason's three-mile house, during the winter of 1SG7-GS, by John F. Peek of Gardner. It was of wood, 200 feet in length, hut was later replaced by one of sdme and iron. Still later, after the second one was destroyed by a cyclone, an iron bridge was constructed. Other bridgeswere built on Snyder's Lane, prior to that over the Mazon, and were replaced by more substantial ones later on. The commissioners are constantly making improvements on the bridges and take pride in keeping them up to a standard in every respect.

The first town meeting of Greenfield Township was held in April, 1850. Those present at the meeting were seventeen in number, and the following were elected : Franklin Morgan, supervisor: Nelson LaForce, town clerk; Robert Glass, assessor; Taylor Bradfield, overseer of the poor; Nelson LaForce. collector; B. Finley, R. Woods and John Kelso, highway commissioners; Thomas McCartney and Jachin Banister, constables; Daniel Fuller, justice of tho peace, and Taylor Bradfield, pathmaster.

An Amalgamated Population

settlement of Danes, Norwegians, Scandinavians, Scotch, Irish and Germans here, while the New England states sent generously some of their best citizens to help to develop this portion of Grundy County. The descendants of the early settlers have intermarried until they are now fused in the great melting pot of Americanism, and are proud of this country and the one from which they sprung.

Greenfield Township is fortunate in not having a record of cruel Indian history, owing in ' large part to the friendship of the chief Shabbona. However, wolves remained to scare the pioneer. There were plenty of deer and other wild game, and so with iish from the streams, the early settlers did not have to kill their stork to secure meat.

In the early 'SOs the people of Greenfield Township began to appreciate the value of tile draining, and after the first experiments in this method of reclaiming the swamp lands proved so satisfactory, the agriculturalists here, always progressive, undertook' the drainage of thousands of acres hitherto worthless, and upon them banner crops are now being raised.

Until Garfield Township was formed from Greenfield, Gardner was within the latter township, and its first village to lie incorporated, but it now belongs to the former, and is written up at length in the history of that section.

South Wilmington

The second village to be incorporated in Greenfield Township was South Wilmington, which came into existence August L'-">, 1S99. An election was held by the qualified voters residing within the territory, to-wit : The southwest quarter of Section 11 in Township 31, North Range 8, east of the Third 1'. M.. in the County of Grundy. The returns which were canvassed by A. R. Jordan, county judge, resulted for incorporation. The first election for village officers was held September 10, 1899, and the first set of officers elected were: Robert McXulty, St., president; Mike Finn, clerk; "Walter Ferguson, treasurer; Charles McLean, constable; William Walker, street commissioner; Levi Sinims, police magistrate, and William Purdy, Martin Ferrero. Patrick- Corrigan, Hugh Young and John Hammer, trustees.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Gibson Simpson was the first to locate at South Wilmington, moving into a house taken there from Braidwood, that had belonged to Ed Blandey. The second family was that of Patrick Corrigan, who came to take charge of the hotel which was built by the C. W. and ('. Coal Company, it being the first to be put here. In 1S90 the coal company commenced to build new houses and sell them to their employes, and a great many were moved in from the surrounding towns of Braceville, Braidwood, Coal City, and Clarke City. The present population of South Wilmington is about three thousand.

A meeting of the citizens was held in the fall of 1S99 and donations were asked for the commencement of a school for the benefit of the few children here. School commenced that same fall, being held in an old store building which had been moved in on Third Avenue. Miss Carrie Peart was employed as the first teacher. The people responded so generously to the request for funds that by flic fall of 1000. ;i fourrooin schoolhouse was ready in District 74, and in .May. 1902, four rooms more were added. It now has STO pupils enrolled, 41'J boys and 441 girls. A two-room schoolhouse was built in District 6S in the spring of 1905. This latter school has 107 pupils enrolled, fifty-one boys and fifty-six girls.

The first religious services held in South Wilmington were by the Baptist Sunday School in the fall of 19<ki. They were conducted in what was known as the Prophet Building, which was moved here from Gardner. Rev. J. Blodgett and J. C. Wilson organized it. and F. E. Floyd was the first superintendent. The church building where the Baptists now hold services was moved from Braceville in 1901. Rev. .7. Blodgett was the first pastor. The church was organized the same year, but only remained by itself a short time, becoming a mission of Gardner, until February 0. 1910, when it became once more a separate church.

A complete history of the coal industry of Grundy County 'will be found elsewhere- in this work. Written by an expert, the conditions are fully given.

Among the leading business houses and professional and business men of South Wilmington are: Dr. C. D. Allison, physician; Arthur G. Perry, president -Rank of South Wilmington; Frank Blanchetto, buffet; Felix Garda, buffet, Joe Girot, buffet; Max Goodman, general mer-

Manufacturing Co.; A. C. Wilson, livery; and CHAPTER XXXI others interested in farm lands who have retired to this village to enjoy the fruits of their the Village of Last Brooklyn came into exist- rural delivery from kinsman - rich agrtenee. Its territory is as follows: Commencing cultural district - supervisors from 1S50 to north GS3 feet, west 1,590 feet, south 6S3 feet, highest land and east 1,590 feet. On July 21, 1903, an election was held and the lirst to hold office in East Highland Township contains the highest ele- Brooklyn were as follows: Levi Green, presi- vation in Grundy County, hence its name, den), and George Hackney, Joe Black, Anton Johnny Run and .Murray Sluice are the princi- Rolando, Fred Bollatto, Joe Ferrero and John pal streams, although the Waupecan and the Ronchetti, trustees. East Brooklyn has a popu- Mazon Livers cross the corners. lation of 525, and it is growing. The very early history of Highland Township

A number of secret societies are represented is regret ably associated with the criminal hisin Greenfield Township, among them being: The tory of Grundy County, for the people who took

Those who have served Greenfield Township stealing horses so openly that none were safe, on the Board of Supervisors of Grundy County and as is the ease with men who have no rehave been as follows: Franklin N. Morgan, spect for property, these bandits had but little 1850-1851; .las. Miller, 1852; Jas. Craig, 1S53; for human life, and whenever it was necessary Robert Wood, ls."">4 ; Joseph C. Robinson, 1S55; to protect themselves, killed ruthlessly. Trav-

C. A. Whitbeck, 1S56; William B. Royal. 1S57- elers lost not only their horses, but money and 185S; Charles E. Gardner, 1S59-1SG1 ; Reuben other valuables, and were fortunate to escape H. Rose. 1S62-1SG3; Win. Hart. 1SG4; Stephen with their lives. Eventually, however, the

D. Underwood, 1SG5; Theodore Hyatt, 1SGG- permanent settlers in Grundy County and other 18G7; Kennedy Brown, 1SGS-1SG9; Amos Clover. localities drove these bandits out of the state, 1870-187(1 ; Isaac McClun, 1877-1S78; Win. II. but not before they had terrorized hundreds, and killed many. Highland Township had many other difficulties growing out of the lawlessness of these bandits, for the stories of their crimes kept reliable men from settling here, and encouraged law breaking of all kinds.

The real settlement of the township began in lS4f> or 3840. with the location here of James Martin, who came here from Indiana. Soon John and William Scott, his brothers-in-law, followed, but only remained a short period. James Funk and William Pierce both settled here before 1S50. Alvin and Cushman Small came here about 1851, as did John Empie and a Mr. Kline. Paddy Lamb arrived before 1S55, and was joined by a number of other Irishmen. John Weldon, although a resident of Vienna, influenced many to come to Highland Township.

The settlement was small up to 1S5G, for at the presidential election in that year, but fifteen votes were oast. Paddy Lamb cast the only vote for Buchanan despite the efforts of the fourteen others to make him change his politics. William Slattarey, a resident of Ottawa. Illinois, moved ro Highland in 1S57 as one of the first that came from there and forty-six families followed, among them being William Meagher, John Ryan, Tom Ryan, Jerry Donavan, Owen Driner, Pat C.iry. Will Kieff, Tom Donohue, Dennis Ryan. Mike Ahem and Tom Marty. This influx turned a strong republican town to a democratic, and it was called Ireland by some. John Coveny, Isaac Marlet, John Xoouan, Vera Hill. Randolf Hill. William Colby, John Daniher, Mike Dunn, and Dave Silk were the old settlers from 1S56 to 18G6. Land was bought for from $6 to $10 per acre that sells for $2K> per acre and some has been pushed to $300 per acre. A great many of those settlers wore renters and after a few years moved to other parts, some to eastern Illinois and more to Iowa. All are well-to-do today who remained and attended to business.

The first marriage in the township was that of the parents of John Flanigan. who was born on Section 15, the first white child born here. He was married to John Sullivan's daughter, who died and then he married James Broderick's daughter, and now resides in Iowa. In later days many a young man came to Highland Township to select a wife. On one occasion, John Shroder, then county sheriff for eighteen years, announced to the writer that Highland raised the must perfect girls in the county, so it was no wonder the young men crowded to Highland Township to get their wives.

The first death was that of Mr. Beningham. Out of the forty-six families that moved from Ottawa only five now remain, all the others having gone to their eternal reward.

Few Churches

In 1S6S a Catholic church was built on Section 4. The old Catholic church was moved to Kinsman in 1SS5 and in 1SST was replaced by a $3,000 church. Only one church was outside the Catholic and that was the Swedish Lutheran, in 1003.

Xo postofilces were ever established in Highland Township outside of Kinsman, the people now getting their mail by rural free delivery from that point.

Rich Agricultural District

This is entirely an agricultural district. From being the center of lawlessness in the '30s, it has become, in 1014. one of the must law abiding of all the sections of Grundy County. The farmers are well-to-do, and market their produce at Kinsman and Verona. While the farms here are not as largo as those in some of the other townships, they are so well cared fur, that they yield handsomely, and the valuation per acre is higher in consequence. In addition (o general fanning, stock raising is carried on, also some dairying, all of which prove profitable to those thus engaged.

The only railroad station in Highland Township is Kinsman, which is located on the Atchison. Tupeka & Santa Fe Railroad. It is a little settlement about the railroad station and the Catholic Church, and the residents are principally retired farmers of the Catholic faith. A small hotel offers accommodation to those desiring it. not only from the village, but transients as well. Stock and grain from the surrounding territory are shipped from Kinsman, and from it mail is delivered over the regular rural route the postoffice there controls. Several stores deal in the commodities required by the people of Kinsman and the outlying farming